High precision polishing of optics using an industrial robot

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This project is the continuation of the previous Engage project conducted by the University of Victoria (UVic)**and Dynamic Optics (DO). Larger and more powerful telescopes require large, light weight, and high precision**mirrors that cannot be manufactured using the existing technologies. The aim of this project is to develop an**innovative robotic non-contact polishing technology that is capable of polishing large size curved mirrors with**nano-scale surface roughness.**The new polishing technology will be developed by integrating a deterministic polishing tool in a force**controlled robotic system. The hydrodynamic, deterministic polishing tool (HyDRa), employs a radial jet of**abrasive slurry fluid to remove material from the surface of the optic. This polishing tool is mounted on a**six-axis robotic manipulator that moves the tool on a predefined trajectory to remove the excess material from**the surface of the curved optic. The robotic system is equipped with a force control system to maintain the**normal polishing forces at zero, leading to zero-force polishing process. In the first stage of this collaborative**project, an optimized 6-axis force control system was developed and an automated slurry supply system was**designed. In the second stage of the project, proposed in this Engage Plus, the development of the optimized**polishing system will be finalized and performance characterization and verification tests will be performed.